ECOLOGICAL INSIGHT AND SURVIVAL COMPLEXITY OF PANGOLIN

Abstract

Present conservation efforts focus on charismatic predators like the Snow leopard and the Tiger. On the converse, there are many small mammals are less common that also are facing sharp declines, largely due to lack of knowledge and research. The endanger Pangolin is one species that has not been researched enough. Geographical distribution and habitat attributes has been the primary focus of most ecological studies. In contrast, research on conservation aspects has to date resulted in a broad understanding of the threats being face by the species. Apart from the distributional information, scanty literature exists regarding diet, habitat characteristics and wildlife trade with little on management aspects and morpho-anatomical studies. There are about eight different species of Pangolins, also called scaly anteaters, recognized globally. One such victim of these is the Indian Pangolin, which is from the order Pholidata and an endangered insectivorous mammal that inhabits South Asia. It has been reported from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and portions of western China, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Pangolin is a medium sized mammal growing from 30 centimeters to hundred centimeters. The body is shield with hard, horn structures, which render it a formidable fortress against natural enemies. Mostly nocturnal in activity, it is of significant value to the stability of ecosystems health and agronomy. It feeds mainly on insects as arts, termites, bee larvae, flies and different types of worms and earthworms. One individual estimated to eat over 70 million and it thought to be one of the most important biological control of termites in forests ecosystems